Promise Ring

Well somebody's certainly been listening to their fair share of Radiohead and Pulp records lately. On their debut for Anti- Records (Epitaph's boutique imprint), the Midwestern emo poster boys take a radical departure from the frisky, up-tempo pop rock of their last two Jade Tree releases. Wood/Water is a dark and sombre journey through the mind of the artist as a survivor — in this case, Davey Vonbohlen's lifesaving brain surgery. It's also a testament to his growth as a songwriter. Recording in England and utilising the production talents of Stephen Street probably helped give this disc its more classic Brit-pop edge. Long-time fans will definitely be thrown for a loop by this departure in sound, but for those who are open to change and who are willing to grow with the band, it's a rewarding trip.